Electrically initiated elastomer member expansion for controlling tubing member assembly diameter

Abstract

A system for controlling tubing member assembly diameter includes a control unit, a computing device, a tubing member assembly, and an elastomer member. The tubing member assembly includes an outer pipe member that defines a static diameter and an inner pipe member having an outer surface and defining a dynamic diameter that changes from a first inner pipe member value to a second inner pipe member value. The elastomer member is disposed between the outer pipe member and the inner pipe member such that an inner area of the elastomer member is disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member. The elastomer member expands from a first position to a second position to constrict the dynamic diameter from the first inner pipe member value to the second inner pipe member value responsive to receiving an electrical signal from the control unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a control unit that provides an electrical signal; 
 a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the control unit and includes a memory component that stores logic and a processor for executing the logic; 
 a tubing member assembly including an outer pipe member having an inner region, the outer pipe member defining a static diameter and an inner pipe member, the inner pipe member having an outer surface, the inner pipe member defining a dynamic diameter configured to change from at least a first inner pipe member value to a second inner pipe member value, wherein the dynamic diameter is smaller than the static diameter, and wherein the inner pipe member is disposed within the outer pipe member; and 
 an elastomer member, communicatively coupled to the control unit, that is disposed between the outer pipe member and the inner pipe member such that an inner area of the elastomer member is disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member, and wherein the elastomer member is configured to expand from a first position to a second position to constrict the dynamic diameter from the first inner pipe member value to the second inner pipe member value responsive to receiving the electrical signal from the control unit. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer member is further configured to expand from the second position to a third position responsive to receiving an additional electrical signal. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the dynamic diameter is further constricted from the second inner pipe member value to a third inner pipe member value based on the inner area of the elastomer member remaining disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member as the elastomer member further expands from the second position to the third position. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer member includes conductive elements embedded therein and is formed of at least one of the following: a hydrogenated nitrile material, a hexafluoro-propylene material, a tetrafluoro-propylene material, or an ethane propylene. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first carbon concentration of the inner piper member is lower than a second carbon concentration of the outer pipe member. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pipe member has a first ductility that is higher than a second ductility of the outer pipe member. 
     
     
       7. An system comprising:
 a control unit that provides an electrical signal; 
 a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the control unit and includes a memory component that stores logic and a processor for executing the logic; 
 an outer pipe member; 
 an inner pipe member having an outer surface and defining a dynamic diameter; 
 an elastomer member that is disposed between the outer pipe member and the inner pipe member such that an inner area of the elastomer member is disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member, wherein the elastomer member: 
 is configured to receive the electrical signal from the control unit; and 
 is configured to expand from a first position to a second position to constrict the dynamic diameter of the inner pipe member from a first inner pipe member value to a second inner pipe member value responsive to the electrical signal from the control unit. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the outer pipe member has an inner region and defines a static diameter. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the dynamic diameter of the inner pipe member is always smaller than the static diameter. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the inner pipe member is disposed within the static diameter defined by the outer pipe member. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elastomer member is further is configured to expand from the second position to a third position responsive to receiving an additional electrical signal. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the dynamic diameter is configured to be further constricted from the second inner pipe member value to a third inner pipe member value based on the inner area of the elastomer member remaining disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member as the elastomer member further expands from the second position to the third position. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elastomer member is formed of at least one of the following: a hydrogenated nitrile material, a hexafluoro-propylene material, a tetrafluoro- propylene material, or an ethane propylene. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the inner pipe member has a first ductility that is higher than a second ductility of the outer pipe member. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the outer pipe member has a first carbon concentration that is higher than a second carbon concentration of the inner pipe member. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elastomer member includes a conductive element. 
     
     
       17. A system comprising:
 a control unit that provides an electrical signal; 
 a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the control unit and includes a memory component that stores logic and a processor for executing the logic; 
 a tubing member assembly including an outer pipe member having an inner region, the outer pipe member assembly defining a static diameter, the tubing member assembly further including an inner pipe member having an outer surface and defining a dynamic diameter configured to change from at least a first inner pipe member value to a second inner pipe member value, wherein the dynamic diameter is smaller than the static diameter, and wherein the inner pipe member is disposed within the outer pipe member; and 
 an elastomer member, communicatively coupled to the control unit, that is disposed between the outer pipe member and the inner pipe member such that an inner area of the elastomer member is disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member, the elastomer member including a conductive element embedded therein and wherein the elastomer member is configured to expand from a first position to a second position to constrict the dynamic diameter from the first inner pipe member value to the second inner pipe member value responsive to the conductive element receiving the electrical signal from the control unit. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the elastomer member is configured to expand from the second position to a third position responsive to the conductive element receiving an additional electrical signal, and the dynamic diameter is further constricted from the second inner pipe member value to a third inner pipe member value based on the inner area of the elastomer member remaining disposed on the outer surface of the inner pipe member as the elastomer member further expands from the second position to the third position. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the outer pipe member has a first carbon concentration that is higher than a second carbon concentration of the inner pipe member.